High school boys soccer: Determination drives Bel Air standout

Bel Air High forward Christian Garcia doesn't leave anyone disappointed when they watch him play a soccer match.

Garcia plays fast, plays hard and plays with plenty of determination. That's how he learned to play the game as a young player and that's the only way he plays now.

"I've been playing soccer since I was a little kid and I have a great desire to play well and help whatever team I play on do well," the standout forward said. "I learned from an early age that I have to play hard and I have to go 100 percent. I also want to play a smart game out there."

Garcia's presence on the Bel Air soccer team is well-documented. He helped the team to an Elite 8 showing last year in the Class 5A playoffs. He scored the lone goal in the team's 1-0 win in the regional semifinals against Plano. He was a first-team El Paso Times' All-City selection in part due to his postseason success in which he scored an amazing four goals.

"The playoff run last year was special for us," Garcia. "It was a total team effort and it was fun being a part of that team. We're capable of doing some good things again this year, but we have to clean some things up and keep improving, which I know we can."

Bel Air coach Sergio Delgado calls Garcia a premiere player in the state.

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"He's a sweet player," Delgado said. "He moves well out there, he has good moves on the soccer field and he's got a good knowledge of the game. Christian works very hard to get better on the soccer field and that hard work will carry him a long way. He deserves a chance at the next level and I don't doubt that he will do well."

Garcia, who has double-digit goals this season, will get that chance at the next level. His hard work has resulted in a scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he will join former Bel Air teammate Jesus Perez on the field.

"Nebraska-Omaha is a good school and having a former teammate there helped make my decision an easy one," Garcia said. "I'm really looking forward to playing at the next level and helping Nebraska-Omaha become a very good program. It has been my goal for a long time to play college soccer. I still have work to do to be the player I want to be, but I'm going to continue to work hard and improve."

Garcia has been solid for the team this season as the Highlanders battle for a playoff spot in District 1-5A. Though he isn't very tall at 5-foot-4, his work ethic and his strength are big factors in his success.

"Christian is a good leader for us," Delgado said. "We can always count on him for a good match and to be one of our key contributors. Every year he has been with us, he has improved and that's a sign of a good player."

Felix Chávez may be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6167.Follow him on Twitter @fchavezeptimes

Garcia file

Who: Christian Garcia.

Position: Forward on theBel Air High School boys soccer team.

Class: Senior.

Of note: Helped lead Bel Air to an Elite 8 showing in last year's Class 5A playoffs; first-team All-City performer; will play Division I soccer next year at Nebraska-Omaha.